How Much Are You Willing to Give?

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Scripture:

Mark 12:41 ¶ He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums.
Mark 12:42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny.
Mark 12:43 Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.
Mark 12:44 For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Observation:

Here’s a story I remember from my childhood.  The woman was poor and in the world’s eyes she didn’t have much to offer.  The wealthy men came in their beautiful robes and with all the honors and recognition of the world.  The woman came in humility with the little that she had and put it in the offering.  It was easy for the wealthy to give an offering because it didn’t really cost them much.  They had an overabundance of resources, but not this woman, she had so little to begin with and so she gave, not out of abundance, but out of her personal dependence.  This money would have supplied her needs, but she was willing to give it all away.

Application:

There are those in life who have more resources than others.  These resources include finances, but more than that they include all the talents that God has given us.  There are those who are able to serve God out of the abundance that they have received.  Working for the Lord comes easy and therefore not much effort has to go into it.  So, just as with money, so also with all talents and abilities they must be wholly consecrated to the Lord.  We must not be content to give to God simply out of our abundance, but it cost us something.  It cost Jesus his life!

As we think about stewardship of everything that God has given to us, may we think about ways in which we can rely upon God by giving over and above what is easy for us to give.  

Prayer:

Lord, may I be generous in giving all for you.  Amen.

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